THUNDER BAY — Work on Simpson Street is expected to start by the end of this week.
Brian Newman is the project engineer of the $3-million upgrade on the city's south side.
The work will be done to the section of Simpson Street from Charry's Corner to Dease Street.
"We're basically redoing the underground work, the sewer water, and moving some old storm sewers, adding catch basins and some new sections as well," he said.
"We're also removing all the ash trees on the street, just in preparation for all the same ash borer."
"We are excavating the street — pretty much fully replacing the water and sanitary drains . . . also doing some touch-up concrete work along the sidewalks and curb and gutter, and new street lighting as well."
Newman said crews are trying to get the Dease and Mackenzie streets intersection paved over the next couple of days since it will be a detour route.
"Motorists in the area should really avoid the area because there's lots of side streets to work off of and Simpson Street is going to be busy for the coming three to four months."
The plan as winter approaches is to complete a base layer of paving and finish that part of the project during next year's construction season, he said.
Businesses along the construction routes will be open and accessible, and there will be temporary transit stops established along the detour routes during construction.
Katie Nicholls is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter with Newswatch
